Julen Lopetegui addresses Jean-Clair Todibo reports with update on West Ham future ahead of huge Wolves clash | OneFootball

Lopetegui said to have clashed with Jean-Clair Todibo at half-time in heavy defeat to Arsenal

Julen Lopetegui has played down rumours of a dressing room disagreement between himself and Jean-Clair Todibo.

Defeat to Leicester last time out has left Lopetegui on the brink and he has been given Monday night’s match at home to Wolves to save his job.

Asked at his press conference on Friday about a falling out with Todibo, the West Ham boss said: "The things that happen in the dressing room have to stay in the dressing room. Always.

“I don’t know exactly what you want or what you though, but nothing important happened."

Lopetegui added: “The players have been fantastic. [Great] commitment. I don't have anything to say against my players.

“I will not talk bad about my players, I accept all the responsibility and pressure. That is why I am the coach. My players have to enjoy their profession. They are demanding with themselves and to believe in them is the most important thing."

Defeat to Wolves, his former club, would likely prove to be the end of Lopetegui’s time in the West Ham dugout, having only taken over in the summer. He said he is “aware” of board discussions going taking place over his future.

The Spaniard walked away from the Wolves job last summer over disagreements with the club’s hierarchy, but he insisted he remains determined to turn around West Ham’s form.

"I have a big commitment in my work as always,” Lopetegui said.

“I am very happy to stay at West Ham. We are going to change the situation. That is why we are working, to be ready for Monday."

On whether he does believe he has one game to save his job, Lopetegui said: "I am not thinking this. We have one very important challenge on Monday against a good team.

"They have very good players and good coach. so we have to focused to develop our work until Monday to be ready. To give our fans a good day."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.